Page 215 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

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“I miss you!” I grin, adjusting my earbud as I start jogging.

Rurik has been away for the weekend in Florida to visit his stepdad’s side of the family. I may have acted like a spoiled little brat when Rurik told me he was leaving. And by spoiled brat, I mean an annoying little shit.

Rurik may have punished me. And by punishing me, I mean he didn’t let me come during sex until I was super frustrated. Instead, I was forced to make myself orgasm using toys or my fingers — While he watched like a fucking creep.

Who am I kidding? I may have developed a kink for delayed gratification.

“We spoke to each other this morning, Briar,” Rurik rumbles in my ear. “Also, why are you breathing heavily? Are you okay?”

“I’m running,” I snap. “I can’t talk and run at the same time.”

“Sounds like a performance problem,” He snarks. Why the fuck am I in love with this asshole again? “Anyway, I should be home by Monday night. Please don’t change the locks.”

“Don’t do anything to piss me off then,” I say, feeling my heart stutter that he considers my apartment his home.

“You’re such a huge migraine, Briar. Oh, shit, I have to go—”

“Wait!”

“Yeah?”

“Do you miss me?”

He sighs, “I’ll call you later, Briar.” Then hangs up.

I smirk. He totally misses me. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have spoken on the phone for nearly three hours.

I turn the music up, drowning out my breathing and footsteps as I continue running along the trail, passing by the tree where I remember helping Rurik with his canvas. I passed the bench where Rurik came out of nowhere and kissed me, drawing me out of the darkness swirling in my head. Damn, it feels like years since those days… I can't believe where we're at now in our relationship. Or situationship? Whatever ship we're sailing, I'm loving it.

I can feel my legs ache, so I start to slow down to a power walk. I glance at my phone… Will Rurik be annoyed if I spam text the shit out of his inbox? What if I take a topless selfie again? Ooh, he would love that I’m — FUCK!

Something hard hits the back of my head, and a sharp pain radiates through my neck. I fall to the ground; the impact is sudden and jarring. My palms scrape against the asphalt as I struggle to get up. I turn around in time to see a man with a black mask and his fist flying to my face before darkness consumes me once again.

Chapter 32

Rurik

Something’s wrong. I can feel it.

It started when I woke up early this morning after a weird dream. I can hardly remember it, but I could make out white flowers and splashes of yellow. And then this unfamiliar yet soothing voice was urging me to help. But help what? I don’t know. I blame the alcohol I had last night for the random dream.

I place a hand over my chest, feeling its usual abnormal beating still going. No, my heart seems normal — well, normal for my shitty heart. But I can’t shake that there’s something. I feel like invisible fingers are crawling up my spine to the back of my neck, making me uncomfortable and jumpy.

To top off my uneasiness, Briar hasn’t texted me back today—not even after I sent a good morning text, which is odd for her. She always texts me back immediately after my morning messages. I’ve been setting my alarms to send her texts every morning while I am away because I know how much she loves getting them.

She’s so clingy like that. I kind of love it. No one has ever pursued me as hard as Briar, and no one has ever captured my attention like her.

I wish I were with her—or with her here… I glance at my mum and stepdad, who are both enjoying their lunch outside in the sunny weather. I can’t imagine Briar sitting beside me with them. Maybe with my mum, but my stepdad? It's not possible.

I take my phone out and scroll through my inbox.

Still no texts. Two hours later, still no texts. An hour later, still nothing. I got up, told them I needed to use the bathroom, and went to my room. Then, I pull my phone out and call Briar.

“Hello?”

My heart skips, and I gasp out loud. Fucking finally, she answers!

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